Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto has called for a probe on officers in the energy sector and the disbandment of the KenGen power plant board at Turkwel power plant in West Pokot County for engaging in graft.
The MP hit out at the officers in the Ministry of Energy saying they hail from one community and they are using the advantage to siphon funds at the KenGen power plant. “The Cabinet Secretary and the chairman of KenGen are from the Rift valley region. There is no Pokot or Turkana in the KenGen board, “he said.
Speaking at the Turkwel power plant while inspecting development projects in the area, Moroto said the KenGen staff migrated from Turkwel ten years ago following protracted attacks along the West Pokot and Turkana border and have been operating from Kitale in the neighboring Trans Nzoia County, more than 150 kilometers away. “They come to work at the power plant and are given per diems. We have houses in the area but they don’t want to stay around because they need money.”
Moroto called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene in the matter which he said if not checked it get soon get out of hand. “We need equality in all aspects. The Pokots and Turkanas have been challenged in everything,” he said.
Moroto said the community has not benefited from KenGen hence urged the national government to intervene and solve the row that may soon erupt between the community and the company. He said that peace has returned to the area and the company should embark on the projects for locals to benefit. Moroto pointed out that locals have not benefited from the project despite generating 10 percent of power to the national grid.
Turkwel Power Station is one of the major hydro-electric power stations in Kenya generating approx. 10% of the national electricity supply. The Power Station has the capacity of 106MW and is connected to the national grid at Lessos sub-station on a 220KV transmission line over a distance of 230 kilometers. However, when contacted, the company’s management declined to comment on the matter saying it was above their capacity.
